The Plan for Special Needs Trusts

Taffy Nothnagle is known for her lifelong commitment to inclusion, community building, and opportunity for people with developmental disabilities. In May 2026, Taffy was featured in Raising Us, a documentary about a group of mothers that fought for the right to public education, and built community support systems for their children. In June 2026, Taffy was inducted to the Special Olympics MA Hall...

PLAN is so proud to be a partner and support the incredible work being done on behalf of individuals with ID & IDD and we’re committed to the mission of inclusion for individuals with different abilities. Thank you to Patrick Shaughnessy for sharing more about the Hyannis Port Challenge that raises awareness and resources to help fund the many other initiatives that support individuals with di...

Not liking the choices he faced, John turned to his father and said, “I want to go into business with you.” John had worked with Mark before and he thought the best way to find a job he would love was to create one. To Mark, this seemed like a great plan. The two would-be partners needed to come up with an idea for their business. John’s first suggestion? A fun store. “I wanted something fun and c...

PLAN of MA & RI is proud to partner with Best Buddies in Massachusetts & Rhode Island. Our work together promotes inclusion and offers support for all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). PLAN of MA & RI is thrilled to celebrate Eleanor Jones who joined our team, from the Best Buddies Jobs Program, nearly three years ago! The Best Buddies Jobs Program helps pe...

Elizabeth (Liz) Sandblom is the Chief Executive Officer of The Arc of the South Shore. With a career spanning more than three decades, Elizabeth brings extensive experience and passion to […] The post Elizabeth Sandblom Chief Executive Officer of The Arc of the South Shore appeared first on PLAN of MA and RI .

Margaret (Meg) Hogan currently serves as Chief Executive Officer at Boston Senior Home Care. Before joining the agency in 2017, Meg was Vice President of External Relations for Home Health Foundation, which included Home Health VNA, Merrimack Valley Hospice, and Home Care, Inc., one of the largest home care agencies in Massachusetts. In that role, Meg oversaw the development and implementation of...

James Day Keith is a multi-sport Special Olympics athlete, actor, and passionate advocate for inclusion who starred in the movie Champions.  He promotes friendship, acceptance, and belonging for people of all abilities, shares his story with schools and organizations, and serves as an ambassador for Special Olympics Massachusetts and Best Buddies. He is recognized for his leadership, fitness, and...

Bob Scannell has been the leader of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Dorchester (BGCD) for the past 38 years.  BGCD serves over 4,000 youth each year and have over 202 programs and activities. Their mission is to always welcome and connect young people and families to opportunities that embrace diversity, nurture growth, and inspire success.  As part of the Boston Inclusion Network for Disabilities (BI...

Maura Sullivan, MPA is the new Chief Executive Officer of The Arc of Massachusetts.  In a historic moment, Maura becomes the first parent of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to lead The Arc since its first Director, Pearl Birnbaum Hurwitz, in 1954. Maura Sullivan has been a dynamic force within The Arc of Massachusetts for over a decade, leading Government Affairs an...

Jonathan Gardner is a dedicated advocate for disability rights at both the state and national levels. A homeschool graduate, cancer survivor, and individual who happens to have Autism, Jonathan serves as an Official Ambassador for Operation House Call through the Arc of Massachusetts, a Flutie Fellow for the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism, Co-Chair of the Massachusetts Supported Decision-Ma...

  Dr. Moses S. Dixon, PhD, is a leading practitioner in Global Health and Social Medicine with a comprehensive background in the non-profit and governmental sectors locally and nationally. He has served as the President & CEO of Senior Connection, formerly the Central Massachusetts Agency on Aging, Inc. (CMAA), since 2019. Dr. Dixon earned a doctorate in Community and Public Affairs from The S...

Representative Sean Garballey is a champion of inclusion. PLAN of MA & RI partner, Special Olympics Massachusetts, recently awarded the Jack Brett award to Rep. Garballey for his work on behalf of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. “Special Olympics is very very important to me. I’ve been volunteering with Special Olympics for a pretty long time; and last year I was able...

Rob Wrubel has had an amazing journey to get to where he is. He talks about following his purpose and passion on his life’s journey. He is the father of a special needs daughter. Rob uses his knowledge to help special needs families by serving as their financial advisor and by speaking to families and professional groups throughout the country. “Special needs families face financial challenges not...

Senator O’Connor’s legislative platform aligns with the mission of PLAN, as he has been consistently working throughout his time in the State Senate to serve those with disabilities in helping […] The post Senator Patrick O’Connor appeared first on PLAN of MA and RI .

Before becoming involved with Best Buddies, Zach was not very socially active and did not participate in many extracurricular activities. After joining his high school Best Buddies chapter during freshman year, that all changed. Zach made tons of friends, went to parties, and even was named the Best Buddies Buddy Director at his school. This led Zach to have the chance to catch a touchdown pass fr...

  Dr. White was named President and Chief Executive Officer for Road To Responsibility, Inc. (RTR) in September 2008. He has been active in the field of human services since 1980. Under his experienced leadership, RTR has grown more than 30% between 2008 and 2015 and continues to be recognized as one of the top provider organizations in the state. Dr. White also serves on the Board of Directors fo...

Mr. Brett has been a lifelong champion for people with disabilities. In May 2022, President Joe Biden appointed him to serve as the Chair of the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities (PCPID) and reappointed him as Chairman in 2023. He previously served on PCPID under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, including a term as Chairman from 2011–2013. In 2016, Congress...

Cynthia Haddad is a Certified Financial Planner Professional and a Chartered Special Needs Consultant. She is a founding partner and wealth advisor at Affinia Financial Group in Burlington, MA. As a financial professional and sister and advocate for her brother Ron, who has developmental disabilities, Cindy has dedicated her career to serving families like her own. She is a nationally sought-after...

In this episode, we hear from Collette Divitto, the founder of the nationally recognized baking business Collettey’s Cookies, as well as her mother Rosemary Alfredo.   Collette, who was born in 1990 with Down syndrome, developed her passion for baking while taking classes in high school in her hometown of Ridgefield, Connecticut. She graduated from a three-year LIFE program at Clemson University i...

In this episode, we hear from Leo Sarkissian, Executive Director of the Arc of Massachusetts , as he discusses the history and present of the organization, as well as the state of advocacy and care for people living with intellectual and physical disabilities in the Commonwealth. PLAN actually grew out of the original members and families of the Arc, with the original Trust incorporated in 1971 as...

In this episode, hear from Craig Welton, Chief Development Officer at Northeast Arc, as he discusses how Northeast Arc fulfills their tagline: “Changing lives. Discovering abilities.” The supports offered by Northeast Arc, from independent living skills to job programs, seek to meet each individual’s needs and goals. Listen as he highlights how connections within the community and a partnership wi...

In this episode, hear from Elder Law Attorney, Elizabeth Phillips, as she discusses herself and her Rhode Island-based practice, Hackman & Phillips Elder Law Rhode Island LLC. Listen as she highlights Elder Law, Special Needs Trusts, her relationship with PLAN of MA & RI, and more. Learn more here:  https://www.elderlawrillc.com/ The post Elder Law in Rhode Island – with Attorney Elizabeth...

In this episode, hear from special guest Anthony Kennedy Shriver, Founder and Chairman of Best Buddies International, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that strives to end the social, physical, and economic isolation of the millions of people around the world with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Listen as he discusses his personal journey that led to the founding of this wonder...

In this episode, hear from Michelle Markowitz, President and CEO of Cardinal Cushing Centers, as she discusses how the organization’s variety of programs embodies its vision of being a caring intergenerational community where individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities live full and meaningful lives at home, at work, at school, and at play. Find out more here: https://cushingcente...

In this episode, hear from Brenda Dater, Executive Director at Asperger/Autism Network (also known as AANE). Listen as she discusses how this nonprofit organization helps people with Asperger’s or similar autism spectrum and neurodiverse profiles to build meaningful, connected lives through their variety of inclusive programs. She also touches on the importance of the relationship with their partn...